On the Couch with Phantom Limbs

Dream Logic by Phantom Limbs oncWho is Phantom Limbs?
Phantom Limbs is the independent contemporary dance group founded by Amy Macpherson and James Welsby in 2008. We have presented such shows as: Concrete Solace (2009), Ganzfeld Frequency (2009), The Memory Progressive (2010), Private Dances – Next Wave Festival 2010, TRTH+FNTSY (2013), and now Dreamlogic (2015). In 2009 we won the Theatre Works ‘Industry Selection’ and ‘Audience Choice’ awards for Concrete Solace and in 2013 we won ‘BEST DANCE’ and ‘Melbourne Festival Discovery Award’ in Melbourne Fringe 2013.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
We created a strong body of work and have given many opportunities to fellow artists as collaborators, designers, and performers. I don’t think we’d do much differently, but possibly try and have longer seasons.

Who inspires you and why?
An array of people inspire us. Mostly we are inspired by our peers artists working in other artforms such as Sisters Grimm and Gravity and other Myths.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Make art that reaches a wide audience without sacrificing rigour or sophistication.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
We go on pretty cosmic travels when we dream.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Possibly whatever is on the the NGV or whatever dance shows are on. We try and see everything that’s happening in the dance community.

What are you currently reading?
Currently reading How the Brain Changes Itself.

What are you currently listening to?
Azealia Banks – Broke with Expensive Taste

Happiness is?
Appreciating what you already have.

What does the future hold for you?
Dance, art, community, and bravery.

Phantom Limbs is an independent dance collective founded in 2008 by James Welsby and Amy Macpherson. Inspired by their own family member’s challenges with neurological disorders, the collective’s body of work has largely been inspired by psychology and neuro-sciences.

Their latest work, Dreamlogic will challenge audiences’ own perception of the performance by offering spectators elements or snippets of choreography that encourage their minds to fill in the whole picture.

Dreamlogic will be presented at Darebin Arts’ Speakeasy at the Northcote Town Hall: 5 – 10 March 2015. For more information, visit: www.darebinarts.com.au/speakeasy for details.

Image: Amy Macpherson and James Welsby